ATLANTA (AP) โ Reality TV stars Todd and Julie Chrisley had been sentenced Monday to prolonged jail phrases after being convicted earlier this yr on fees together with bank fraud and tax evasion.
U.S. District Judge Eleanor Ross in Atlanta gave Todd Chrisley 12 years in jail plus 16 months of probation, whereas Julie Chrisley received seven years behind bars and 16 months of probation, information shops reported.
The Chrisleys gained fame with their present โChrisley Knows Best,โ which follows their tight-knit, boisterous household. Federal prosecutors stated the couple engaged in an intensive financial institution fraud scheme after which hid their wealth from tax authorities whereas flaunting their lavish life-style.
โThe Chrisleys have built an empire based on the lie that their wealth came from dedication and hard work,โ prosecutors wrote. โThe juryโs unanimous verdict sets the record straight: Todd and Julie Chrisley are career swindlers who have made a living by jumping from one fraud scheme to another, lying to banks, stiffing vendors, and evading taxes at every corner.โ
Todd Chrisleyโs attorneys had argued in a courtroom submitting that he mustnโt face greater than 9 years in jail. Julie Chrisleyโs attorneys stated an inexpensive sentence for her can be probation with particular circumstances and no jail time.
The Chrisleys had been convicted in June on fees of financial institution fraud, tax evasion and conspiring to defraud the IRS. Julie Chrisley was additionally convicted of wire fraud and obstruction of justice.
Prosecutors have stated the couple submitted pretend paperwork to banks and managed to safe greater than $30 million in fraudulent loans. Once that scheme fell aside, they walked away from their accountability to repay the loans when Todd Chrisley declared chapter. While in chapter, they began their actuality present and โflaunted their wealth and lifestyle to the American public,โ prosecutors wrote, after which hid the thousands and thousands they made out of the present from the IRS.
The Chrisleys additionally submitted a false doc to a grand jury that was investigating their crimes after which satisfied family and friends members to lie beneath oath throughout their trial, prosecutors argued. Neither has proven any regret they usually have, as a substitute, blamed others for his or her felony conduct, prosecutors wrote.
โThe Chrisleys are unique given the varied and wide-ranging scope of their fraudulent conduct and the extent to which they engaged in fraud and obstructive behavior for a prolonged period of time,โ prosecutors stated.
Todd Chrisleyโs attorneys stated in a submitting that the federal government by no means produced any proof that he meant to defraud the banks, and that the loss quantity calculated was incorrect. They additionally famous that the offenses had been dedicated a very long time in the past and stated he has no severe felony historical past and has medical circumstances that โwould make imprisonment disproportionately harsh.โ
His attorneys had additionally submitted letters from buddies and enterprise associates that present โa history of good deeds and striving to help others.โ People who depend on Chrisley โ together with his mom and the many individuals employed by his tv reveals โ shall be harmed whereas heโs in jail, they argued.
They urged the decide to provide him a jail sentence beneath the rule vary adopted by supervised launch and restitution.
Julie Chrisleyโs attorneys contended that she performed a minimal position within the conspiracy and was not concerned when the loans mentioned in sentencing paperwork had been obtained. She has no prior convictions, is an asset to her group and has โextraordinary family obligations,โ her attorneys wrote, as they requested for a sentence of probation, restitution and group service.
The Chrisleys have three youngsters collectively, together with one whoโs 16, and likewise full custody of the 10-year-old daughter of Todd Chrisleyโs son from a previous marriage. Julie Chrisley is the first caregiver to her ailing mother-in-law, in accordance with the submitting.
Her attorneys additionally submitted letters from character witnesses describing her as โhard-working, unfailingly selfless, devoted to her family and friend, highly respected by all who know her, and strong of character.โ
